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Month: May 2017

For the past few months slave classes have been offered by Rhiannon, slave of Master Gorm. These classes have been held in the village of Tosar in Second Life. The classes have been excellent with great material offered and many slaves have benefitted from these classes.

Now, for the next 6 weeks, Master Gorm Runo has agreed to offer up classes on topics related to Gorean slavery from a Master’s point of view. Instruction will include such topics as “What is expected from a Gorean slave”, “How to handle jealousy”, What are the different types of slaves, why do they differ and how do their roles differ” among many other topics.

Master Gorm Runo has been a gorean philosopher and teacher for many years. His classes are always insightful and informational. Not only has he been a philosopher and teacher for many years, but Master Gorm has also successfully run a large slave house within Second Life Gor for just as long.

All are invited to attend these classes. Learn from one of the best teachers, philosophers and slavers. Find out what it is that Masters truly expect in their slaves and why they have those expectations.

The classes will be held every Monday starting June 5, 2017 at the Village of Tosar at 7pm SLT. We hope to see you there. Come ready to learn and discuss!

From the Gorean Compass class offered by Master Gorm Runo at the Gorean Campus within second life. Classes are every Thursday at Noon and 6pm SLT. All are invited to attend and join in the lively discussions. Currently Master Gorm is teaching a variety of techniques to bring more meaning to our Gorean roleplay within second life and also into our real lives. Now, on with the discussion!

Tal and Greetings,

In a recent discussion, several people advanced the idea that book 12 marked the complete fleshing out of the Gorean world and the philosophy behind it. It could be said that the other 22 books might be considered little more than fan fiction carrying out the story line and rehashing the philosophies.

If there is any truth to this, I thought I might take a look at the end of book 12, “Beasts of Gor” to see how it ended up and I came across this interesting scene.

“The coffle line looped up to the neck of the first girl. She was Arlene; the second was Audrey;, the third was Barbara, Constance was fourth; Belinda was fifth; she who had been the Lady Rosa was sixth. They were all clad in furs. The snow blew gently about them.”

Page 438 Beasts of Gor

If you read the book, you will discover that these six females all came to be on this coffle in various ways during the course of the story. I even still get confused on who is who, but I know two of them are Earth girls purchased at the beginning of the book by Imnak the Red Hunter at the Sardar Fair. Constance was a former Free Women of Kassau taken by Tarl while traveling North. The Lady Rosa one had been serving as an agent of the Kur, and Belinda was taken in the Kur complex and was a former Earth girl, too. I am still not sure where Barbara came from or how Tarl ended up with her on this coffle.

Tarl walks down the line from girl to girl and gives each a kiss and has a little talk with each about her fate when they all return to Port Kar. They all will have various fates. Some still need to be branded, most will be sold.

The striking thing about the exchange is the total acceptance of the females to their fate.

Here are their reactions:

“Call me whatever you wish, Master, ” she said. “I am wholly yours.”

“Yes, Master,” she said. “But each time you touch me you brand me. Each time you touch me, you make me more a slave. Each time you touch me I am more yours.”

“Will you not keep me?” she begged.

“I am a Gorean slut and a slave, ” she said, “I beg your brand.”

“You could be a Peasant, an Iron Worker. It would not matter. When you look at a girl she wants your brand. When your eyes fall upon a girl she wants to be your slave. Girls dream of being branded by a man such as you. We dream of being slaves of men like you.”

Quotes from pages 438-442 Beasts of Gor

This is a place where the credibility of the novels is challenged by a lot of critics. Six women, some native born to Gor, but most abducted and enslaved from Earth have all embraced their Gorean slavery so completely that they make the “consensual slavery” concept Second Life Gor seem harsh and cruel by comparison. All of the negative connotations of “slavery” such as force and the cruel stripping of freedom that make slavery so abhorrent to so many are completely absent from the attitudes of these females who are embracing it so fully.

This is what many people refer to as the bullshit moment. It is when the author gets carried away and the whole hearted embrace of this sexual slavery by these six women is nothing more than a adolescent fantasy, and this novel is fit only to be kept under a teenagers mattress. It is the essence of Pornography where beautiful women are submitting willingly to the most erotic behaviors!

There are many people in today’s society who would scream for the banning of this book. Not because it is graphic in its depictions of sexual behavior. It is not at all graphic by today’s standards. Not because of language. The language is almost PG by today’s standards.

They would cry out against this book for its belittling of what they consider to be the serious gender issues of today. Violence against women. Inequality of the genders. Rape Culture. The evil and controlling Patriarchy that is keeping women from reaching their “true” potential. These are the things that are being exposed by the author having these six females willingly accept the status of “Gorean sluts and slaves.”

It is the fictional acting out of the idea that inside most females is a hard wired genetic desire to be enslaved by strong Men. I suggest that a majority of the females of Earth, certainly in Western Culture would call “Bullshit” on that idea. They would find it not only incorrect, but insulting, demeaning, and even threatening to even suggest its possibility.

This or….

This

However.

From the very beginning of the internet and the publication of the Novels, women of all backgrounds and ages have embraced the idea of the Gorean slave girl. Many have done it claiming to be “role players” and blow off the implications of what they are doing with the claim that it is just a fun game. This idea is supported by the fact that the author himself seems to have first created the “slave girl to strong dominant men” idea as a suggested bedroom fantasy to bring some vive to the sex life of married couples. Sort of like pretending your girl friend is a French maid in a short skirt bending over to dust the coffee table before you take her up to bed.

Yet “role playing a game” does not really cover the reality of what has happened in online Gor and continues to happen in Second Life Gor to this very day. To one degree or another, thousands of females have embraced the idea of Gorean slavery as something real and not at all a game. The existence of these females in online Gor is often ignored or disbelieved by the ones who think a game is being played, and that is one of the problems our community has faced over the years.

We know that there has been a BDSM community where various levels of this same sort of thing is practiced in one form or another, and whereas that lifestyle was pretty low key and underground in the past, it has become much more known and accepted as an alternative lifestyle today. In fact, in many ways, the crazy world we live in has sort of made BDSM more mainstream and way less “kinky” than a lot of other things going on in the world these days.

But, BDSM does not account for the popularity of the idea of Gorean kajira. Many people involved in BDSM sims here in Second Life warn submissives against getting involved in Gor.

There is something else making the Gorean idea of slavery attractive to more and more females. And here is, as I promised, the point where I shrug my shoulders and say, “I don’t really understand it.” I am a male, and proud to call myself a Gorean male, and the idea of surrender and submission to another is totally alien to me. It would be so easy for me to try to explain what those girls on the coffle were feeling and why I have known so many girls over the my years in Gor that uttered similar words to me. Not just in a role play situation in a Second Life Role play sim, but in real life situations away from the Internet. But, I won’t even try to do so, because the truth is I do not understand it and can not even begin to explain it.

It is possible that the Gorean idea that “most” females are hard wired to accept this and once exposed to it and stripped of the negative conditioning of the modern world, it emerges from deep inside their belly and causes them to drop to their knees and submit has some validity.

Or it may be possible that the internet has enabled the very, very, small minority of truly submissive females to find an outlet to express themselves. It may be that the girls who have embraced this beyond the idea of “game” make up that statistically small percentage that differs from the norm.

One thing I do recognize is that there is a possibility, based on my experience in this online world over the years, that many females have this wiring and exposure to Gor has the potential to bring it out. These are the girls who tell of reading “Slave Girl of Gor” and recognizing themselves in its pages. These are the girls who insist they are not role playing slavery but living it even if only through electronic communication with a distant Master.

And if this is so, Gorean slavery role play is a dangerous game to play. Imagine if there was a theory that people are hardwired genetically from millions of years of evolution to steal cars and run over old ladies. Grand Theft Auto would be a dangerous game to play, too. It would come with warnings at least, that too much exposure to it might lead you to make some bad choices and act out some negative things.

For years and years now, this danger has been laughed off by people who insist that we are taking this way too seriously. They play it like the sexual fantasy that it seems to have first been designed to be, but they interact with others that are taking it very seriously and even molding their real life interactions on it. What could possibly go wrong with that scenario.

So, since this is one of those areas where I, as a Free man, can not really speak to the inner thoughts and feelings of the enslaved female, I simply pose some questions.

Why would a girl who abhors submission, who objects to the sexual objectification of females, who would never let a man dominate and control her, find playing a female that does these things willingly and with no shame so addictive?

Is it possible that the addiction is coming from some internal hard wiring as the books suggest, and that most females are reacting to it either by denial or whole hearted acceptance depending on their own life experiences and the level and effectiveness of their unsound social conditioning?

And finally, if slavery role play in Second Life Gor, is potentially dangerous, like mountain climbing, or scuba diving, shouldn’t we be warning people of the potential dangers and training them to do it safely as we would train the mountain climber or scuba diver, so the girl does not take a serious fall, or drown in the intensity of the aroused feelings?

Maybe the scene of the six girls expressing total acceptance is a bit of fictional bullshit, but maybe there is something more to it.

Class from May 8th offered by Master Gorm Runo’s girl, Rhiannon. These classes on slave training are offered every Monday at 7pm SLT in the village of Tosar. Always well done and informative they are well worth attending.

************** CHAT LOGS ****************

[19:08] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Tonight i am taking a page from my Masters play book and gonna give a short talk before opening up the floor for questions or comments.
[19:08] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): winks at tiggy nodding .. “now sis”
[19:08] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): starts scribbling
[19:09] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Once I am finished, please use the @ symbol to indicate that you have a question or comment and I will call upon you in order.
[19:09] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles!
[19:09] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I am so excited about these upcoming lessons. So lets begin.
[19:10] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Welcome to HOR Slave training! Tonight is going to begin a series of classes that are going to speak more to the ideals of being a kajira of Gor, the protocols and acceptable behavior of slaves on Gor, and also, encourage you to look at yourself in the hopes of helping you on the path to internalizing the principles, moralities and mentality of being a slave to men.

[19:10] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): That being said, i would also like to state that these are my thoughts on the subject, my experiences as a long time kajira of Gor, and that my Master has approved these lessons. Everyones journey is different. The goal here is to grow as a kajira .. to honestly realize that your soul purpose in life is to serve the men of Gor with absolute obedience and exquisite beauty.
[19:11] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Gor, Gorean philosophy, Gorean lifestyle is exactly that. A lifestyle that is chosen by those that have a particular set of intrinsic ideals. I have no time for role-players or wannabes.
[19:11] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): To me, it is not something that you can act out or rp. It has to be lived, from the heart
[19:12] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Gorean lifestyle can be lived here on Earth, but with adaptations, compromises and understanding. Gor of the books is fiction. The underlying principles and values are real.
[19:12] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I feel I should start with the misconceptions surrounding a kajira, as I know so many people in my life that would look with horror and complete incomprehension of that word (that is if they knew what it meant).
[19:13] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): To outside observers Gorean philosophy appears to subjugate women, treating them as mere objects, owned, ordered about, used as mere sex objects. It also appears at first glance to be all about sex, about sex mad, dumb blondes with no brains or ability to exercise their own independence or free will… without the personality to know what they want, reliant on another person.
[19:13] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Women who have no mind of their own, no thoughts or ideas. Men who want to just use females, objectify them, dehumanize them… All in all, weak minded, easily controlled people who get a kick out of being treated like a piece of meat or treatings others as such.

[19:14] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): In my humble opinion, the Gorean lifestyle actually allows women to be women and men to be Men. I am a woman, quite categorically female and I am a completely different creature of the human species type to Men, I am softer in nature, more emotional, curvier and more able to love unconditionally.
[19:14] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I am also a highly sexual creature with a deep desire to serve others and make them happy. Gor allows me to be true to my nature and to myself.
[19:15] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): To me, a kajira is a woman who is confident in her femininity, strong in her commitment and strong in spirit. As kajira I offered myself to my Master freely, of my own free will and in that I chose to give my own will into his care. I am obedient, not because I have to, but because I choose to be.
[19:16] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I know I can be forced into obedience by my Master, but that would not be pleasing. My first priority is to be pleasing to my Master and within that I choose to willingly do whatever he asks in order to meet his desires. In doing so I gain pleasure.
[19:16] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): A kajira is expected to give herself over entirely to her Master, heart, mind, body and spirit and under his guidance learn what is expected of her. I find as I learn more and more what is expected of me, I give more and more of myself.
[19:17] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): It is without doubt a difficult process and fears surface each time a limit is pushed or a change is realized, but it is a very worthwhile journey and not everything is painful.

[19:17] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): A Master does not walk this path out of cruelty or a desire to inflict pain, or a desire to have a kajira who will blindly do his bidding… I mean, how many people really want to spend time with a mindless robot?
[19:18] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I don’t walk this path as kajira out of fear either, but because I want to. I want to please my Master, in every and any way I can. I want to meet his expectations of me, I want him to be proud of who and what I am, and what I freely give to him out of love and trust and submission.

[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I need to remember, internalize that thought and trust that what my Master demands of me is for my own good.
[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): It has been said that a kajira has no responsibilities or thoughts of her own, that the Master holds all the responsibilities. All I can say to that is get real!
[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Have you ever actually thought about what it really means to be pleasing to a Master at all times?
[19:20] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I am by no means perfect, but, I know It certainly is not easy and neither is it meant to be.
[19:20] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I find my Master makes me look into myself, recognize and accept my beauty, speak my ideas, thoughts, dreams, fantasies and aspirations.
[19:21] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): It is a hard thing to do.. to accept yourself and realize that you are accepted just for being that person, the dark side of your nature just as much as the light.
[19:21] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): It takes an inordinate amount of strength, but in doing so I see that no matter what, my submission to him is returned 1000 fold and I see it plain as day.
[19:21] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I feel my life is safe from harm, that my Master protects me, cares for me, understands my needs and wants and the differences in them.
[19:22] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): He guides me, teachs me, and rewards me for my progress as a slave, for pleasing him, and for others things by allowing those wants that i have to be fufilled, always making sure to take care of the needs no matter what.
[19:23] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The desire and need that creates within me is overwhelming, the need to see him happy, want nothing but to please him more and more. I have grown in my surrender and as a woman and i can thank my Owner for that as well.
[19:23] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): To be a kajira, in my humble opinion, is to allow this to happen. To give that level of control over to another, to trust that they will act accordingly in the best interests of both themselves and their property.

[19:24] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): To look into yourself and accept everything that is there, good and bad. To change aspects of yourself in order to please another.
[19:24] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The strength to place everything you have ever accepted as intrinsic to who you are, to one side as you learn and to relearn who you are and your place in life and in society.
[19:25] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): To consciously walk the path of submission to men knowing full well that as you walk that path you freely chose the end result, the result whereby you are psychologically bound to your Master in such a way you are mentally no longer able to exercise free will as long as the Master remains a man of honor that continues to take care of your needs as a female slave.
[19:26] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): This is what I find being kajira means to me. It may mean more to you, or less or otherwise. And, that is what the assignment is tonight for all ya’all.

[19:27] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): To write an essay on what it means to be kajira to you. This essay does not have a word minimun or maximum and will not be due until the 22nd of May, giving you two weeks to do it and turn it into Master Gorm Runo. or your Owner, allowing it to be known that it was done and turned in to someone from the HOR.
***************************************

[19:27] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I am excited to see what everyones thoughts are on what it means to truly be a Gorean kajira.
[19:28] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles and looks about the room .. Any questions or comments about anything that was said?
[19:28] lilDevil (RachPerfferle2): @
[19:28] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles, “Yes, lil devil.”
[19:29] lilDevil (RachPerfferle2): i have both a Master and a Mistress so the same applies dont it to both owners
[19:30] lilDevil (RachPerfferle2): thats al i got
[19:30] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): yes, although in the end i would think the male you serve would trump the woman if you are owned by both.
[19:30] lilDevil (RachPerfferle2): yes Masters words is always final
[19:31] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): You may believe that being a kajira means serving the free of Gor not just men .. with absolute obedience and exquisite beauty.. but, honestly, this is an assignment to help you look at yourself and what you believe it means to be kajira. There are no right or wrong answers.
[19:32] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): peeks about the room seeing Kaya had joined us smiled at her .. “Anyone else have any questions about the assignment or anything i spoke of considering my thoughts about being kajira?”
[19:33] deka (andie35): @
[19:33] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): yes, deka?
[19:33] deka (andie35): for once you have me tongue tied
[19:34] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): blushes .. “i hope it is a good kind of tongue tied.” giggles
[19:34] deka (andie35): and ty for your experience
[19:34] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): @
[19:34] lilDevil (RachPerfferle2): gigggles
[19:35] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles at the pretty slave inclines her head slightly in her direction .. “I love Gor and have done this for a long time. It gives me great joy to share my experiences with other girls that are just starting out on the journey or are seasoned even, … sharing of experiences is how i personally believe we all come to a consensus and understanding about what we are all truly doing here and it is important.”
[19:36] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): grins at tiggy
[19:36] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): yes, sissy?
[19:37] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside) smiles “I’d just like to comment saying, beautifully spoken sis, was a brilliant speech on what it means to you to be a kajira, and thank you for sharing it with us, as i know sometimes its hard to explain and share personal thoughts and feelings with others… and i am really looking forward to writing this essay for Master, to put down my thoughts on what it means to serve him” grins
[19:39] deka (andie35): @
[19:39] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): beams at tiggy .. “Thank you sweet sis.”
[19:39] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): deka .. ?
[19:39] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): giggles
[19:40] deka (andie35): me only haves experience serving master in bdsm,
[19:40] deka (andie35): not gor
[19:42] deka (andie35): me collar seems for looks only here
[19:42] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): nods at deka .. smiles understanding offering “That is fine, deka .. you serve the house here right? The Village? To be kajira, means that you are ultimately a slave to men .. the word kajira literally means “female slave” on Gor. Tell us of your thoughts .. what you think it means to embrace the ideals of being kajira here, the differences perhaps even in serving as a kajira and serving as a submissive in a BDSM relationship.”
[19:42] deka (andie35): me white silk forever
[19:44] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles, “Oh i highly doubt forever, deka, you are progressing as a slave nicely from what i see and have the heart of kajira,… that is what matters most .. ”

*********** SLAVE PACES/CREED ************

[19:44] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): nips bottom lip .. okay well .. if no one else has anything to say we’ll move onto Slave Paces .. a more BTB topic ..
*********************
[19:45] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Stand!” said the merchant. “Head back! Hands behind head! Bend backwards! Farther! Farther!” He turned to us. “Acceptable,” he said. Then to the girl he issued orders, rapidly, harshly. I watched, with interest, as the girl, tears in her eyes, responded to his swiftly issued, abrupt commands. For more than four Ehn he put her through a swift, staccato regimen of movement, a set of slave paces, assessment paces, designed to exhibit, vulnerably, decisively and publicly, her beauty, in all of it major attitudes and positions. “Hands on hips! Be insolent! Hands behind back! Hands crossed before you, as though bound! Hands at throat, as though chained to collar, fingers before mouth! Fall to the floor! Kneel! Head down! Head up! Bend backwards! Farther! Roll to the floor, on your side, on your back, right leg high, now flexed, left leg high, now flexed, to your side, right leg extended, palms on floor, left leg extended, palms on floor! Appear angry! Appear frightened! Appear aroused! Smile!” He did this with
[19:45] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): the same swift, expert objectivity, and clinical detachment, that physician might bring to a routine medical examination; this examination, of course, was a beauty examination, assessing the desirability of a female slave. The whip cracked again. She cried out in misery, shuddering.
Tribesmen of Gor Book 10 Pages 155 – 156
*********************
[19:47] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Slave Paces are thought to be a creed of sorts.. this is an onlismn, as it is certainly spoken of in the books, but it is not called slave paces.
*********************
[19:47] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What are you? A: I am a slave girl, Master.
[19:48] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What is a slave girl? A: A girl who is owned, Master.
[19:48] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What is a slave girl? A: A girl who is owned, Master.
[19:48] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: Why do you wear a brand? A: To show that I am owned, Master.
[19:48] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: Why do you wear a collar? A: That men may know who owns me, Master.
[19:48] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What does a slave girl want more than anything? A: To please men, Master.
[19:49] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What is the duty of a slave girl A: Absolute obedience and exquisite beauty, Master.
[19:49] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What is a girl’s first duty? A: A girl’s first duty is to be pleasing to her Master, in any and every way, Master.
[19:49] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What rights does a slave have? A: None, Master.
[19:50] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: Who may punish a slave? A: Any free person may punish me, Master.
[19:50] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: A slave is always permitted the last words in a discussion, what are they? A: Yes, Master.
[19:50] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Q: What hangs upon the wall? A: The slave whip, Master. How may I be more pleasing?
************************

[19:51] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): That .. is the slaves creed, not paces. Paces were shown in the book quote example i posted first.
[19:51] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Many will put you through your “paces” by asking you these questions however, and expecting you to answer correctly, and quickly.
[19:53] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): A slave girl on Gor might be asked these things over and over and over again, to impress upon her that the answers she gives are in fact her reality.
[19:53] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): And may be punished for not answering correctly.
[19:54] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Learn it. Say it to yourself a few days even. i find that reminding myself of my place on Gor helps me to be pleasing to my Owner.

[19:57] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Allow this humble girl the strength to answer questions she cannot fathom.
Allow this girl the spirit to know His needs.
Allow this girl the serenity to serve Him in peace.
Allow this girl the love to show Him herself.
Allow this girl the tenderness to comfort Him.
Allow this girl the wisdom to follow His Lead.
Allow this girl the wisdom to be an asset to Him.
Let this girl be able to show Him each day her love of her service to Him.
Let this girl open herself up to completely belong to Him.
Let this girl accept her punishment with the grace of a woman.
Let this girl learn to please Him, beyond herself.
Grant this girl the power to let go all inhibition to allow her to give herself to Him completely.
Give this girl the strength to please us both.
Permit this girl to love herself , in loving Him.
For it is this girls greatest wish, this ones highest power to make His life complete.
***********************
[19:58] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): And the Oath …
***********************

[19:59] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): He is owner
and I am owned
He commands,
I obey
He is Master
and I am slave
He is to be pleased
and I am to please
Why is this?
Because He is Master
and I am slave.
***********************
[20:00] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I really hope you all learned something tonight and that this will help you on your path to becoming a kajira of Gor.
[20:00] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Any final questions or comments?
[20:00] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Great i put ya’all to sleep.
[20:00] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): rawrs to wake people up!
[20:01] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): grins at tiggy
[20:01] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Kaya? lil devil? Ya’all all good then? We can wrap it up
[20:01] KAYA2Clawtooth: yes thank you
[20:01] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles!
[20:01] KAYA2Clawtooth: smiles
[20:02] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Okies .. this slut is going to take a short break and then find her Owner .. he’s probably fucking sarah somewhere.
[20:02] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): giggles
[20:02] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): brb …
[20:03] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): thanks for coming girls, give me 2 ihn and i will pass you copy of the chat logs so you can read back over them

Classes taught by Master Gorm Runo’s slave Rhiannon meant to educate and train regarding Gorean slavery. These classes can be attended in person on Monday’s at 7pm SLT in the village of Tosar. Well worth your time as the classes are usually very informative and interesting.

[19:10] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i am going to go over tonights stuff quickly and without much fanfare. It is info that can be used by us slavegirls but perhaps, other than time, not often.”
[19:11] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): hands deka the class handouts
[19:11] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i will also admit to have committed less about time, measurement and the calendar to my memory than perhaps anything else i have learned in Gor.”
[19:13] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Okay we are already behind. So lets get this going. Gorean Time and Measurement, not very interesting, but, part of the trappings of book trivia that is good to know.”
[19:15] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i am not a scholar of either of these areas. Having barely retained the knowledge of what is what over the past 17 years. Sooooo, what i hope to do tonight, is simply go over the information with everyone that is in the NC’s and talk about it amongst ourselves.”
[19:15] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “If anyone has better knowledge to offer up i encourage you to please do so. Otherwise, it is basically something to “know.””
[19:16] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “We are a small group tonight, but, please, for the sake of confusion, use the @ symbol to indicate that you wish to say something and wait for me to call upon you.”
[19:16] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles.

********** TIME ***********
[19:16] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Okies, Time.”
[19:17] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “If you pull up your NC that is labled Gorean Time, you will see a couple of book quotes concerning time on Gor.”
[19:18] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “We are going to go over the easy stuff though.. stuff you may actually use.”
[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “If you are around me in rp you will note that i typically will use the words that Goreans use to denote seconds, minutes and hours instead of using the earth/english word.”
[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i suppose this is simply to show that i recognize that i am no longer “on earth”‘
[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “And, to impress upon myself and to those i am rping with that we are on Gor.”
[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The Gorean Word for second .. is Ihn.
[19:20] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The Gorean would for minute is Ehn.”
[19:20] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): And, the Gorean word for hour is Ahn.”
[19:21] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “So lets say that you need to go somewhere in 15 minutes and want to let your Master know. You could say to him, “Master, in fifteen ehn this one needs must tend to … blah blah whatever.”‘
[19:22] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “You will notice that there are not really 24 hours in a Gorean day.”
[19:22] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “But, for the sake of sanity, there is reference to show us the time on Gor vs the time we are all used to.”

[19:23] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): and so on .. up to what is known as the Gorean noon or the tenth Ahn”
[19:24] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “And then up to the Gorean Midnight which is called the twentieth Ahn.”
[19:26] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The rest of the NC describes different methods of keeping time on Gor specifically noting chronometers as one of the favored methods. Please read over that material so that you have some knowledge of it.”
[19:26] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “If there isn’t anything that anyone wishes to add or has a question on then we can move on to Measurement.”
[19:27] deka (andie35): @
[19:27] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “yes, deka?” smiles
[19:27] deka (andie35): me train me horses for one ahn
[19:29] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): beams at deka, “yes, perfect. you trained the horses for an hour. Thank you. Anyone else have anything to say about Gorean Time?”

******** MEASUREMENT **********

[19:30] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): ‘Okies, awesome. On to Measurement.”
[19:31] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Once again, this is a subject i am do not know well. i use the words hort and passang the most, but, the information is there and should at least be known.”
[19:33] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “If you pull up your NC on Measurement that tiggy handed out, you’ll see that they have listed there, measurements in all things … including liquid measurements and so on.”
[19:33] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The Hort is approximately an inch and a quarter in length (31.75mm).
The smallest actual measurement described is a tenth of a hort which would equal an eighth of an inch (3.175mm).
[19:34] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The Hand is used as a measure of height in several places but no actual comparison in inches is given. On Earth, horses are measured in hands. One hand equals 4 inches (101.6mm).
[19:34] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The Gorean Foot or Merchant Foot is ten horts or roughly twelve and a half inches (317.5mm).
[19:34] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Cloth is measured in the Ah-il, which is the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. But again, no actual comparison in inches is given.
[19:34] deka (andie35): @
[19:35] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “yes, deka?”
[19:35] deka (andie35): is a hand and a hf average in gor
[19:36] deka (andie35): 6 inches
[19:36] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “A hand and a half would be approximately 6 inches.”
[19:36] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): chuckles
[19:36] deka (andie35): yes
[19:37] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Not sure what you are referrring to as average but i would think more than likely?”
[19:37] deka (andie35): me wondering
[19:37] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): giggles, “i’ve served my share and they are usually of the larger type variety deka.” winks at her and moves on smiling
[19:38] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): A Pasang is approximately .7 of a mile (1.12km).
[19:38] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The Stone is about four Earth pounds (1.81kg).
[19:38] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): A Weight is ten stone.
[19:39] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “you can see that they used measurements much like we did on earth in the past.”
[19:40] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Caer Cadarn is approximately 300 passangs south of Port Kar in the delta. Can someone please tell me about how many miles this would be?”
[19:41] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Anyone?” giggles
[19:41] deka (andie35): 12 inches
[19:41] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i can make a guess and say it is about 230 miles from Port Kar.”
[19:41] bee (beaDumbledore): 210
[19:41] bee (beaDumbledore): I used my calculator
[19:41] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “bee, i bet you are way closer.” winks at her.
[19:41] TABI (Xtabi Galaxy): 210 is what I got
[19:41] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles!
[19:41] bee (beaDumbledore): I’m exact
[19:41] deka (andie35): smiles at bee
[19:42] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Awesome, so ya’all see how to think of passangs then when thinking of distance on Gor?”
[19:42] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles … “Cause if you all say yes we are so done .. ”
[19:42] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): laughs softly
[19:42] bee (beaDumbledore): yes
[19:42] bee (beaDumbledore): pokes Deka
[19:43] deka (andie35): ouch
[19:43] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles at tiggy …
[19:43] bee (beaDumbledore): no, yes please
[19:43] TABI (Xtabi Galaxy): yes
[19:43] deka (andie35): smiles
[19:43] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i am calling it good. Thank ya’all for attending tonight, hope to have tabi teaching dance next week if she is off work and able to, which is so much more interesting.”

The Hort is approximately an inch and a quarter in length (31.75mm).
The smallest actual measurement described is a tenth of a hort which would equal an eighth of an inch (3.175mm).

The Hand is used as a measure of height in several places but no actual comparison in inches is given. On Earth, horses are measured in hands. One hand equals 4 inches (101.6mm).

The Gorean Foot or Merchant Foot is ten horts or roughly twelve and a half inches (317.5mm).

Cloth is measured in the Ah-il, which is the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. But again, no actual comparison in inches is given.

The Ah-ral is ten ah-ils.

A Pace is close to the English yard (91.44cm or 0.9144m).

A Spear Length is used a few times and based on other references this would be six to seven feet (1.82 – 2.13m).

A Lance Length is also used once. Based on the context, this is likely the kaiila lance but no actual length is given.

A Kaiila Length is yet another distance measurement used without any comparison in feet or yards.

A Pasang is approximately .7 of a mile (1.12km).

A League is mentioned only one time as a measure of distance. But once more, no comparison is given. Therefore we don’t know if this is an Earth league, which is 3 miles (4.82km), or maybe a Gorean league which, if related to the pasang, might be 2.1 miles (3.37km).
Tape measures, marked in horts, are used to measure slaves.

Liquid Volume Measurements

The Gill, as a measure of liquid volume is used only once. But in another reference, “The leech plant can draw a considerable amount of blood in a short time”. Perhaps this means a gill is a “considerable amount”. In any event, no Earth comparison is stated.

A Talu is approximately two gallons (7.57 liters).

Dry Volume Measurements

A Tef is a handful with the five fingers closed, not open.

A Tefa is six such handfuls, which is a tiny basket.

A Huda is five of these tiny baskets.

Weight Measurements

The Stone is about four Earth pounds (1.81kg).

A Weight is ten stone.

Compass Direction Measurements

All directions on the planet are calculated from the Sardar Mountains.
The Gorean compass is divided into eight main divisions, and each of these are also subdivided.
There is also a system of latitude and longitude figured on the basis of Ahn, Ehn and Ihn.

In the formation of most cursive letters, incidentally, there are few, if any, differences among the various cities. The differences tend to have more to do with the “cast” of the hand, so to speak, its general appearance, a function of a number of things, such as size, spacing of letters, linkages among them, length of loops, nature of end strokes, and such. Also, certain letters, at least for commercial or legal, if not personal, purposes, tended to be standardized. An excellent example are those standing for various weights and measures.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 347

The Gorean day is divided into twenty Ahn, which are numbered consecutively. The tenth Ahn is noon, the twentieth, midnight. Each Ahn consists of forty Ehn, or minutes, and each Ehn of eighty Ihn, or seconds.
Outlaw of Gor Book 2 Page 26

The Gorean day consists of twenty Ahn; the Gorean Ahn, or hour, of forty Ehn, or minutes; the Ehn consists of eighty Ihn, or seconds. An Ihn is slightly less than an Earth second.
Tribesmen of Gor Book 10 Page 352

Official clocks are adjusted according to the Caste of Scribes based on various astronomical measurements having to do with the movements of the sun and stars. [6]

Incidentally, the hands of a Gorean clock move in the opposite direction from what we’re used to. [7]

Some cites use time bars which are rung to signal each hour. [8] And even individual houses had time bars. [9]

In some port cites, shields, on high poles, are hoisted or lowered according to the time of day. At the tenth hour, the Gorean noon, a white-smoke fire is lit. At the twentieth hour, the Gorean midnight, a beacon is lit. These things serve to synchronize chronometers in the port, and serve to regulate schedules and the utilization of the tide tables. [10]

In the arctic, due to the proportionately longer day or night, days are counted as ‘sleeps’. [11]

Tournament games are regulated with sand clocks. These clocks are arranged in such a way that each has a tiny spigot which may be opened and closed, this determining whether sand falls or not. These spigots are linked in such a way that when one is open the other must be closed; the spigot turned by a given player closes his own clock’s sand passage and opens that of his opponent; when the clocks must both be stopped, as for an adjournment of play, they are placed on their side by the chief judge in the match. [12]

Other types of sand glasses are used to measure different lengths of time. [13]

One reference mentions time being kept with sand and water. [14]

A water clock or clepsydra, a device in which time is measured by the regulated flow of liquid, were also used by some. [15]

Some other ways to tell time are marked, or ringed candles, sundials and oil clocks. [16] And, in one instance, a month clock is mentioned. [17]
But no, not even on Gor can you escape the alarm clock, there is such a thing that will turn off your warm blankets at a preset time. [18]

Those of the Tahari are taught from childhood to tell time by the speed of a kaiila, by the circle and the stick and by the sun. [19]

Even though the Red Savages are not usually concerned with the precise time of day, [20] at times they too use a stick and circles to tell time. [21]

Some contests of skill are timed by the heartbeat of a standing kaiila. [22]

And even the heartbeat of a slave has been used to count time. [23]

Interestingly it seems some cites have what amounts to a version of Daylight Savings Time. [24]

And, just for comparison, the Kur day is divided into 12 hours, as opposed to the Gorean 20 hours.[25]
Supporting References

[1] There are precision chronometers on Gor, incidentally, and a more mechanical method of time control is technically feasible. The sand clocks, on the other hand, tend to be a matter of tournament tradition.
Beasts of Gor Book 12 Page 85
[2] Like most Gor compasses, mine contained a chronometer, and I took the compass, turned it over, and pressed the tab that would snap open the back and reveal the dial.
Tarnsman of Gor Book 1 Page 78

I poked through the other contents of the saddle pack, delighted to find my old maps and that device that serves Goreans as both compass and chronometer.
Tarnsman of Gor Book 1 Page 144
[3] Chronometers exist on Gor, but they are rare and valuable.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 358
[4] Although it was late, according to the chamber chronometer, fixed in the lid of one of the chests, I prepared to leave the room.
Priest-Kings of Gor Book 3 Page 48
[5] Similarly walking sticks and staffs often have one or more such compartments in them; reached by unscrewing various sections of the stick or staff. Needless to say, some of these, too, contain, daggers or thrusting swords. Such concealed compartments and weapons, and sometimes even builders’ glasses, sun chronometers, and compasses, and such, are found in such objects.
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Pages 211 – 212
[6] In many cities, of course, including Ar, time tends to be kept publicly. Official clocks are adjusted, of course, according to the announcements of scribes, in virtue of various astronomical measurements, having to do with the movements of the sun and stars. The calendar, and adjustments in it, are also the results of their researches, promulgated by civil authorities.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 358
[7] Gorean clock hands move in the opposite direction
Nomads of Gor Book 4 Page 3

I thought of time in terms of the bars, and not chronometers. I was not all that familiar with Gorean chronometers, and his casual lesson in the domicile had been brief. I tried to remember it. Most dangerously the chronometers with which I was familiar on my former world not only divided the day differently, but marked the divisions in a different order. On my former world the hands of chronometers begin to rotate to the right, whereas in your chronometers they begin to rotate to the left. Your concept of “clockwise” is thus opposite to that with which I was familiar. When I thought of Gorean time, as it might be measured by a chronometer, I always thought of it analogously to the chronometers of my former world; thus, in my mind I would think of the Fifth Ahn as to the right of the Twentieth Ahn, rather than, as you would think of it, as to the left of the Twentieth Ahn.
Conspirators of Gor Book 31 Page 570
[8] Indeed, I had heard the striking of the time bar, mounted on the roof of the Administrator’s store, as I had approached the town’s outskirts.
Savages of Gor Book 17 Page 93

At certain Ahn I was expected to be in the public rooms of the palace and, at others, even at the ringing of palace time bars, for no reason I clearly understood, I was expected to be in my quarters.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 78

I heard the ringing of the time bar from the arsenal. It was the Twentieth Ahn, the Gorean midnight.
Players of Gor Book 20 Page 38

I heard two of the time bars, far off, across the city, beginning to sound.
. . .
I counted the sounding of the bars, stroke by stroke.
. . .
I heard the tenth bar sound.
It was the tenth Ahn.
Witness of Gor Book 26 Page 513

“No,” she said. “They meet at appropriate times and places, according to schedules, beginning when clocks strike or bells ring, and ending when they strike or ring again.”
Mariners of Gor Book 30 Page 569

At that point the trading bar began to ring.
“It is the twentieth Ahn,” I said.
Mariners of Gor Book 30 Page 549
[9] I normally told Gorean time by the ringing of the bars, often public bars, but sometimes bars within a house. Grendel, however, in the domicile, had taught me to read time from the small chronometer he kept in his pouch.
Conspirators of Gor Book 31 Page 569
[10] The large, yellow shield on the high pole in the harbor had already been hoisted and fallen, and, near it, the fire of white smoke had been lit. When the shield reaches the top of the pole in the harbor and is permitted to fall it is the tenth hour, the Gorean noon. At the same time the white-smoke fire is lit. At the twentieth hour, the Gorean midnight, a beacon is lit. These things serve to synchronize chronometers in the port, and serve to regulate schedules and the utilization of the tide tables.
Slave Girl of Gor Book 11 Pages 343 – 344
[11] Two weeks ago, some ten to fifteen sleeps ago,
Beasts of Gor Book 12 Page 265

Some three weeks ago, more than twenty sleeps past,
Beasts of Gor Book 12 Page 289
[12] A fellow with him carried the sand clocks. These clocks are arranged in such a way that each has a tiny spigot which may be opened and closed, this determining whether sand falls or not. These spigots are linked in such a way that when one is open the other must be closed; the spigot turned by a given player closes his own clock’s sand passage and opens that of his opponent; when the clocks must both be stopped, as for an adjournment of play, they are placed on their side by the chief judge in the match, in this case Reginald of Ti.
Beasts of Gor Book 12 Page 85
[13] each is dragged up the steps of the minor block, bid upon while a one-Ehn sand clock is turned, sold for the highest bid that comes forth in one Ehn,
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 112

One of the inn boys, sitting in an apron, on a bench near the large, cylindrical sand clock, glanced at it. “Past the nineteenth hour,” he said. He yawned. He would stay up until the twentieth hour, the Gorean midnight, at which time he would turn the clock, and retire.
Tribesmen of Gor Book 10 Page 180

in the falling sand in the Ahn glass,
Blood Brothers of Gor Book 18 Page 387

‘What time is it?’ he asked. A fellow, glancing at the sand glass, said, ‘A bit past the nineteenth Ahn.’
Mariners of Gor Book 30 Page 73
[14] Time kept with sand and water.
Conspirators of Gor Book 31 Page 8
[15] “It is now the fourteenth Ahn,” he said, casting a meaningful glance at the water clock on the counter to his right.
Fighting Slave of Gor Book 14 Page 212

in the tiny stream of water in the clepsydra,
Blood Brothers of Gor Book 18 Page 387

The average Gorean has a variety of simple devices at his disposal for making the passage of time. Typical among them are marked, or calibrated, candles, sundials, sand glasses, clepsydras and oil clocks.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 358

“It is near the tenth Ahn,” said a man, inspecting the level of the water in the clepsydra. In the depths one cannot tell day from night, except by the clocks.
Witness of Gor Book 26 Page 577

Clepsydras are of two sorts, the inflow and outflow varieties. The inflow devices add water to a container and the level in the container measures a unit of time; the outflow devices drain water, the time measured then by the level of water remaining in the vessel. The device in the quarters of the pit master was an outflow device. Its accuracy is controlled by two major factors, its shape and the size of the aperture though which the water drains. It tapers toward the bottom to keep the water pressure constant, that being required to regularize the speed of the flow, a larger amount of water over a larger area exerting a pressure equivalent in its effect to that of a lesser amount over a smaller area. The second major factor is the aperture itself. This is a drilled plug which is periodically replaced. If this were not the case the passage of the water, over time, even in stone, would enlarge the aperture, deregularizing the device.
Witness of Gor Book 26 Page 580

Some round ships do not have recourse to bars, at all, but use clepsydras, sand glasses, and such, to mark watches, and use watch keepers to alert or rouse the pertinent watch.
Mariners of Gor Book 30 Page 36
[16] the ringed candles,
Blood Brothers of Gor Book 18 Page 387

The average Gorean has a variety of simple devices at his disposal for making the passage of time. Typical among them are marked, or calibrated, candles, sundials, sand glasses, clepsydras and oil clocks.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 358
[17] I reminded myself, again and again, as the month clock rotated, that Caprus was a trusted agent of Priest-Kings, that Misk himself had spoken in the highest terms of him.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 185
[18] In the morning I awoke on the sleeping mat in the corner of my apartment, cold and shivering. It was shortly before dawn. I turned off the power switch on the mat and folded back its blanket sides. It was chilly to the touch now, because I had set the chronometric temperature device to turn to cold an hour before the first light. One has little inclination to remain in a freezing bed. I decided I disapproved of the Gorean devices for separating mortals from their beds as much as I loathed the alarm clocks and clock radios of my own world.
Tarnsman of Gor Book 1 Page 60
[19] “You will tell the time,” said Farouk of Kasra, “by the speed of your kaiila, by the circle and the stick, by the sun.”
Tribesmen of Gor Book 10 Page 62
[20] “The Yellow Knives were standing in the vicinity of a small, raised place, prominent among the Isanna lodges. On this small, raised place stood Watonka. On this small, raised place, too, was a stick, surrounded by two circles, a larger and a smaller. I take it that the measurement of time was being accomplished by this stick and the circles. The inner circle, I think, would have had the edge of the shadow reach it or fall within it about noon.”
“Interesting,” said Cuwignaka.
“Yes,” I said. “Why would they not simply judge noon by the position of the sun?”
“The stick is more accurate,” said Cuwignaka. “Too, the shadow may be watched intently, as the sun may not be.”
“The council is to begin at noon,” I said. “Doubtless they were interested in a more precise judgment of time than might be afforded by simple visual sightings.”
“Why?” asked Cuwignaka.
“I do not know,” I said. To be sure, this question seemed a sensible one. Red savages are not ordinarily concerned with such precise measurements of time.
Blood Brothers of Gor Book 18 Pages 204 – 205
[21] At the feet of Watonka there was a slim, upright stick. In the dirt, about the stick, were drawn two circles, a larger and a smaller. In the morning, when the sun was high enough to cast a shadow, the shadow, I surmised, would have come to a point on the outer circle. At noon the sun, it seemed, in this latitude, casting its shortest shadow, would bring the shadow to or within the smaller of the two circles. When the shadow, again, began to lengthen, the sun would be past meridian. I looked up at the sun, and down to the stick and its shadow. It was, I conjectured, less than half of an Ahn before noon.
Blood Brothers of Gor Book 18 Page 198
[22] The time in these matters is reckoned by the heartbeat of a standing kaiila.
Nomads of Gor Book 4 Page 70
[23] Moreover, she was to be his for the night, once he had counted upon her body, using her beating heart as the clock of the evening’s sport.
Slave Girl of Gor Book 11 Page 157
[24] The fifth Ahn marks the midpoint of the morning, betwixt the Gorean midnight and noon, as the fifteenth Ahn marks the midpoint of the evening, between noon and midnight. There are twenty Ahn in the Gorean day, as time is figured in the high cities. These Ahn, in the high cities, are of equal length. In certain cities, interestingly, the length of the Ahn depends on the time of year. In these cities, there are ten Ahn in the day, and ten Ahn in the night, and, as the days are longer in the summer and shorter in the winter, so, too, are the Ahn. Correspondingly, of course, the Ahn are shorter in the summer night, and longer in the winter night. The day as a whole, of course, including both day Ahn and night Ahn, comes out to the same overall length as it would in one of the high cities.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 432
[25] “How much time is there?” I asked.
“Three Kur Ahn,” he said. “The device is set on Kur chronometry, synchronized to the rotation of the original world.”
“The same chronometry which is used in the complex?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said.
“That is a little more than five Gorean Ahn,” I said.
“Two Ehn more,” he said.
I nodded. The Kur day was divided into twelve hours, the Gorean day into twenty.
Beasts of Gor Book 12 Page 422

The Gorean Compass class from May 5th. Sorry, I did get a little behind in posting these, but we are getting them up for your perusal. As always a reminder that these classes are offered on Thursdays at 12noon and 6pm SLT at the Gorean Campus in Second Life. All are encouraged to attend these excellent classes and join in the discussions.

Tal and greetings

Welcome back after our short one week break!

While I was away, I had some quiet time to muse upon our Gorean world, and especially, our Second Life version of it.

During the recent election cycle in the United States down there on Earth, it was a favorite tactic of one Party to hurl a whole series of “names” at one of the candidate. Most of the names were accusations of irrational dislike or fears of various things. It was a whole list of “phobias”

In the middle of the list, you could usually find “misogynist.” And after a comment about women not caring about you grabbing them by the pussy if you have enough money, and they are that type of women, that one moved to the top of the list.

I found that strange as I had always defined misogyny as an irrational hatred of women, and grabbing them by the pussy did not seem a logical expression of hatred.

I suspected the definition might be broader, and sure enough, here is the google definition.
Misogyny (/mɪˈsɒdʒɪni/) is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. Misogyny can be manifested in numerous ways, including social exclusion, sex discrimination, hostility, androcentrism, patriarchy, male privilege, belittling of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification

Goreans, obviously, do not have a “hatred” of women. But, there are certainly valid arguments to be made for “contempt for” or “prejudice against” women. Sexual discrimination, some hostility, patriarchy, male privilege, belittling , violence, and of course, sexual objectification are all a part of the Gorean enslavement of women in the books.

Following this broader definition, it is fair to say Gorean society and Gorean men are misogynists.

This definition had one part that I was not familiar with and had to check. Androcentrism.

Here is it’s definition.

Androcentrism (ancient Greek, ἀνήρ, “man, male”[1]) is the practice, conscious or otherwise, of placing male human beings or a masculine point of view at the center of one’s world view, culture, and history.

Ahhhh, that is more like it. It could be argued that the Gorean novels, and the Gorean world view is very Androcentric. It is really all about Men, and how they should behave, and how they need to view themselves and their relationships to other men and to females.

I have noticed that when the author is talking through Tarl Cabot or Jason Marshall to relate his stories, he has them, often, say, “I do not understand women.” or words to the effect that a lot of his long speeches about submission and the behavior and mindset of slave girls is really how it “appears to him, and he isn’t really sure.”

The books narrated by slave girls are an exception. One would think that they would be the ones most confused and unsure, and many people have accused John Norman of not understanding women at all. Yet, I have spoken to many girls who tell me that “Slave Girl of Gor” or “Dancer of Gor” was the book that led them to Gor and/or sold them on it. So, he must have been onto something that resonated with them.

This is important to our seminar because we must ask the question. Is the Gorean philosophy androcentric? Is it seeing things from a male point of view and do the azimuths of the resulting Gorean compass point the same direction for males and females? Or in the same direction for Free Men and females slaves? My girl, Rhiannon, often asks this question in our discussions. “That is all well and good for you, Master, “she says, “but, does it apply to a slave girl?”

I think that a large portion of what makes up the points of a Gorean compass apply to human beings regardless of gender. There are many universal points of view that can be, and often are, here in Second Life Gor, freely discussed between males and females and between Free and slave. Most of the material discussed in these classes up to this point fall into this category as well.

However, one of those universal compass points is the idea that males and females are very, very, very different things. Goreans would laugh off a discussion of equality of the sexes in the same way we would laugh off a discussion of the equality of a rose and a sword. You can have a beautiful rose and a sharp well balanced sword, and might say they equally serve their intended roles, but they are not the same thing at all and comparisons between them are foolish. So, to the Gorean way of thinking, you can be an Honorable man, or a devoted slave girl, and those are admirable qualities, but not really good points of comparison when discussing “equality of the sexes” , which is a common Earth discussion topic.

So, it follows to reason that eventually there must be a split in that straight line compass point where males would be going off one way, and females the other. A point where the Free adhere to one standard, and slaves adhere to the other.

If we view our Gorean experience as a journey with a destination of self awareness and better understanding of our true natures, we have to accept that, although for a long way the path would be broad enough to be shared by all of us, eventually, it is going to deviate into several different pathways all leading to the same destination, perhaps, but following a different azimuth to get there.

I read a story yesterday that told of a well known feminist writer from Canada that became alarmed when her three year old son refused a gift of a flower by saying that it was a “pretty thing” and “only girls liked pretty things.” I guess he would rather have some mud to play with and a toy truck. Anyway, the alarmed mother is attempting to subdue this androcentric view of things by making the boy wear a head piece made up of daisies and signed him up to take ballet lessons.

I can imagine nothing that would befuddle the mind of a Gorean more than that story!

In the coming classes, we are going to follow some of those paths that diverge from the main path and are more gender specific and status specific than they are universal.

You can expect me to approach it from a androcentric point of view as I am a male and really can’t do it any other way.

As a Slaver and a Master, I know how to control females, and meet their basic needs, and keep them healthy and productive, and even how to make them love me from time to time, but I do not even claim to understand how they think or have any conception of what they must feel.

You can expect me to be using expressions like, “I think” or “I guess” or “it appears to me that”, much more often in these topics, and depending much more on the feedback from the enslaved and female members of the class to navigate these issues.

And I suggest that in your role play, you adapt an androcentric point of view, or if female, whatever its opposite is. Goreans, it appears, are misogynists despite their love of females , victims of the broader definitions. We think there is a big difference between genders and wouldn’t have it any other way. You are never going to get your Gorean role play right if it does not reflect that belief.

Rhiannon’s slave class transcript. These classes are offered every Monday at 7pm SLT in the Village of Tosar. All are welcome to come, learn and join in!

[19:08] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Tonight i am going to be going over a few places here on Gor, mainly the ones that the HOR is part of, to make sure that we know the areas of Gor that we are serving in.”

[19:11] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “It is important to know this information, even as a slave girl, because certain places have certain customs, certain regions produce certain things… ”
[19:11] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “All good things to know as a kajira to enhance the rp or your own storyline even.”
[19:14] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “There are two main parts of Gor that are rp’d here on SL Gor, that being the southern realm where the silky slaves are from. And, Torvaldsland… the hearty north, where bonds serve in freezing landscapes the viking type men that make the north their home.”
[19:14] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The southern realm of Gor is the most spoken of in the books.”
[19:15] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “There is much diversity in the south.”
[19:15] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The House of Runo operates in the cities of Port Kar, Glorious Ar, and here, in Tosar Village.”
[19:16] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Caer Cadarn and The Black Tarn Tavern are located in the Vosk Delta.”
[19:16] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “We’re gonna start with the Delta tonight.” smiles.

—————-VOSK DELTA ——————-

[19:17] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Never has a slave girl escaped from canaled Port Kar, protected on one side by the interminable, rush-grown delta of the Vosk, on the other by the broad tides of the Tamber Gulf, and beyond it, the vast, blue, gleaming, perilous Thassa.”
Book 5, Assassin of Gor, Page 305

“On river barges, for hundreds of pasangs, I had made my way down the Vosk, but where the mighty Vosk began to break apart and spread into its hundreds of shallow, constantly shifting channels, becoming lost in the vast tidal marshes of its delta, moving toward gleaming Thassa, the Sea, I had abandoned the barges, purchasing from rence growers on the eastern periphery of the delta supplies and the small rush craft which I now propelled through the rushes and sedge, the wild rence plants.”
Book 6, Raiders of Gor, Page 5

[19:18] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Then, from within the collar, he drew forth a thin, folded piece of paper, rence paper made from the fibers of the rence plant, a tall, long-stalked leafy plant which grows predominantly in the delta of the Vosk. I suppose, in itself, this meant nothing, but I naturally thought of Port Kar, malignant, squalid Port Kar, which claims suzerainty over the delta, exacting cruel tributes from the rence growers, great stocks of rence paper for trade, sons for oarsmen in cargo galleys, daughters for Pleasure Slaves in the taverns of the city.
Nomads of Gor Book 4 Page 49
——————-
[19:18] Misty (MistressHypnosis): ((sorry I think I accidentally clicked on the map and it changed…))
[19:19] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): ((no worries, Misty, it is suppose to do that, click away))
[19:19] Misty (MistressHypnosis): Ok ty
[19:20] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “When i think of the Vosk Delta, i always think of Louisiana. The swamplands around the gulf.”
[19:21] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Port Kar is the closest “city” to the delta so it makes sense that the HOR would operate there.”
———————
[19:21] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): I was not particularly surprised at finding a bit of rep-cloth tied on the rence plant, for the delta is inhabited. Man has not surrendered it entirely to the tharlarion, the Ul and the salt leach. There are scattered, almost invisible, furtive communities of rence growers who eke out their livelihood in the delta, nominally under the suzerainty of Port Kar.
Raiders of Gor Book 6 Page 6

[19:22] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): The rence growers, in spite of the value of their product, and the value of articles taken in exchange for it, and the protection of the marshes, and the rence and fish which give them ample sustenance, do not have an easy life. Not only must they fear the marsh sharks and the carnivorous eels which frequent the lower delta, not to mention the various species of aggressive water tharlarion and the winged, monstrous hissing predatory Ul but they must fear, perhaps most of all, men, and of these, most of all, the men of Port Kar.
Raiders of Gor Book 6 Page 8
————————
[19:23] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “As you can see, the delta is full of dangers.”
[19:23] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Tharlarion on not only the tame beasts that we race.”
[19:23] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles
[19:24] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “But, predators that haunt the delta in the waters, on land, and even in the air.”
[19:25] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “rhiannon has long lived in the delta and when rping with a storyline, one can always see the wild spirit and alert nature of a girl that has spent more of her time on Gor in the marshlands.”
[19:25] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Most of*
[19:25] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “We will get more into the Rencers and even the rence that we grow on the Caer later when going through the caste system.”
[19:26] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i encourage you all to read up on the delta and rencers in the Gorean Cave and from the NC’s within the folder tiggy handed out.”
[19:27] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Goodness i forgot, ” blushes, “The Vosk is a mighty river that runs into thassa.”
[19:27] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “For those that did not know that.” smiles
[19:27] belle (Lexia Benelli): smiles brightly
[19:27] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Any questions or comments about the Vosk Delta?”
[19:28] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “No one?” smiles
[19:28] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Awesome okay, we’ll move on then to Port Kar.”
[19:28] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): none from me sis, though i do admit i imagine the marshlands to look like the bayou too hehe

————— PORT KAR ——————-

[19:29] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The infamous city of Port Kar is detailed primarily in Raiders of Gor, book #6 of the Gorean series, though several other novels also provide additional details of this coastal city. Port Kar is known by several other names such as the Tarn of the Sea, the Scourge of Thassa and the Dark Jewel of Thassa. As can be seen, most of these alternative appellations emphasize the predatory nature of Port Kar. Port Kar is known as a den of cruel pirates and their predacious fleets range over much of Thassa, as far south as the Ta-Thassa Mountains, as far north as the polar cap and as far west as Cos and Tyros.”

[19:30] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Port Kar is located in the northern hemisphere of Gor, situated at the northwest corner of the Vosk Delta. The delta provides Port Kar with an excellent eastern defense as it is nearly impossible to march large armies or sail warships through the treacherous marshes of the delta to attack Port Kar. On the other hand, this defense works against Port Kar by not permitting it to sail to the Vosk River and avail itself of the lucrative markets that exist there. To the west of Port Kar is the Tamber Gulf, an area of strong tides but it is Port Kar’s access to the waters of Thassa. The nearest solid land to Port Kar is about one hundred pasangs to the north but that land is hundreds of pasangs away from any city. Nearly the only reasonable method to attack Port Kar is from the sea”

[19:31] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Outside of the city limits, Port Kar claims sovereignty over the entire Vosk delta. In actuality, Port Kar is unable to effectively control this huge region. Port Kar did situate log outposts on the edges of the delta. These outposts were used primarily by Slavers and trained sleen patrols. Port Kar once sent Warriors to collect tribute and taxes from the Rencers that live in the marshes. Port Kar sought rence paper, women for slaves, and male children for slaves on their galleys. Port Kar was very brutal in its treatment of the Rencers and thus the Rencers would reciprocate that brutality if they happened to capture a resident of Port Kar. They would commonly bind their prisoner and toss them to the marsh tharlarion. But after Tarl Cabot visited the Rencers in Raiders of Gor, and proved to them the efficacy of the long bow, the Rencers decided to adopt the long bow as a weapon against their enemies. Port Kar then became much warier of the Rencers and eventually they formed more of a truce. Thus, some in
[19:31] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Port Kar use Rencer bowman as auxiliaries.”

[19:33] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “There is a lot of information in the books about the city of Port Kar. Considering that the Owner of the HOR and most of us is on the Capitan’s Council in the city, familiarizing yourself with some of the culture and background would not fail to serve you well.
[19:34] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Women, even those of the free variety, are said to be the most vulnerable in Port Kar. Slaves outnumber the free women, that’s for sure.”
[19:35] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “It is a trade port, and full of pirates, i always think of being down in the Caribbean, like Nassau during the height of the Pirate era in our own earth history when i think of rping in Port Kar.”
[19:37] belle (Lexia Benelli): listens closely
[19:37] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The girls had the talent of dancing in Port Kar, held more charm than most other slaves that would serve in the city. To please the men of Port Kar, it is said the girl would have to have been exceptional.”
[19:38] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): that had the talent*
[19:38] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “So again, they were also the most vulnerable. Punishments were swift and harsh.”
[19:38] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Any questions of comments on the city of Port Kar?”
[19:39] belle (Lexia Benelli): @
[19:39] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “yes, belle? Go ahead.” smiles.
[19:39] belle (Lexia Benelli): Is it Port Kar that is known for the dancing slaves or was that another city i don’t recall its been a while?
[19:39] belle (Lexia Benelli): with the dina brand?
[19:40] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “If my memory serves me right it was Port Kar.”
[19:40] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Would have to look that up to give a positive answer though.”
[19:40] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles
[19:40] belle (Lexia Benelli): thank you ::smiles::
[19:40] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Thank you.” giggles
[19:40] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Anyone else?”
[19:40] KAYA2Clawtooth: @
[19:40] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Yes, kaya?” smiles
[19:41] KAYA2Clawtooth: I just would like to visit there
[19:41] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Of course. Speak with Master about it i am sure he would be okay with taking you or setting up a visit for you there.”
[19:41] KAYA2Clawtooth: thank you
[19:41] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles
[19:42] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Anyone else? Ar is next.” grins a little

—————- AR —————–

[19:42] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Okies! Onto The Glorious City of Ar.”
[19:43] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “More so than Port Kar, Ar is the most detailed in the books, period.”
[19:43] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “There is an amazing amount of information given about the city, notably, the cylinders that it was famous for as well as its Ka-La-Na.”
[19:44] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Ar is situated in the northern hemisphere of Gor, in the lower temperate latitudes. Temperate means essentially that it has a mild climate. Thus, in the winter it will only have occasional snows and more often cold rains. The summer heat will generally not run to extremes either. The spring and fall will seem to be longer seasons than the summer and winter due to the mild weather.”
[19:45] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Further north of Ar, after three days ride by tarn, forming its northern border, is the mighty Vosk River. The Sardar Mountains are a five day ride by tarn from Ar. The Vosk River, about forty pasangs wide, is one of the largest rivers on Gor. You must cross the Vosk to travel to the northern cities such as Thentis and Ko-ro-ba. Most of the river towns are located on the northern bank because of Ar’s Margin of Desolation. Nearly all of the river towns on the Vosk have recently declared their independence and formed the Vosk League. For a long time, Ar and Cos battled for control of the Vosk and its towns. The formation of the Vosk League has significantly lessened the control of both Ar and Cos.”
[19:46] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Ar is the most populous city on Gor though there are not fully accurate figures for its exact population. An accurate census of its population does not seem to be a concern. A reasonable estimate of its free citizens is thought to be about two and three million. There is also approximately another quarter of a million non-citizens who reside in the city. In addition, there is also approximately a quarter of a million slaves, primarily women. This means that roughly 15% of the female population of Ar are slaves, a percentage much greater than the Gorean norm of 2% to 3%. Please remember that these figures reflect only the population of the city itself and does not include the population of all of the lands under the control of Ar.”
[19:47] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Ar is far more than a simple city. It is a small empire in its own right, a central city that controls twelve other cities, the Twelve Tributary Cities. These cities came under the hegemony of Ar during the early reigning years of Marlenus. Some of these cities are located north of Ar but no description, name or location is given for these twelve cities. The Home Stones of these cities are kept in the Central Cylinder of Ar. Some of these cities aided Master Assassin Pa-Kur when he besieged Ar, hoping to gain their independence. They failed and remain under the hegemony of Ar.”
[19:48] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The actual physical size of Ar is never given though it must be quite large, containing thousands of cylinders. It is at the very least, several pasangs in diameter. Ar is surrounded by double walls of stone, though parts of those walls were destroyed by Cos during the events of Magicians of Gor. The stones were transported elsewhere for construction work. The outer wall was about three hundred feet high while the inner wall was about four hundred feet high. The two walls were separated from each other by a distance of about sixty feet. Every fifty yards on the walls was located a guard tower. Each wall was very wide, sufficient for six tharlarion-driven wagons to travel side by side. After the events of Assassin of Gor, the city walls were painted white so that the sun would cause a glare to bother anyone attempting to attack or besiege the city. At night, fires were lit at certain areas on the walls to act as beacons for tarnsmen. Tarn wires were often kept in place over the city to prevent raiding
[19:48] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): tarnsmen from entering the city.”
[19:49] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “There is much, much more information about Ar, from names of streets, to diameters of the cylinders and door width span. John Norman really got … detailed… ”
[19:51] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The owned of the HOR and most of us, has a holding in Gor’s most Glorious city, a small estate. He maintains a very close friendship with it’s Administrator and we often are in Ar for discussions and special occasions.”
[19:51] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): Owner not owned*
[19:52] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): ‘Please read up on the Glorious city to refresh yourselves or to learn more about it.”
[19:52] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): looks around smiling
[19:52] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): smiles sweetly back
[19:52] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Any questions of comments about Ar?”
[19:52] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Woots!” smiles
[19:53] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “We’re gonna get outta here early tonight.”
[19:53] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): grins

Tosar Village

[19:53] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Tosar Village is not in the books.”
[19:53] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): yay!! hehe. That was great sis. Thank you
[19:53] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Now we know that here on SL Gor, Master is the Slaver of the village and maintains a holding as well as these kennels here.”
[19:53] bee (beaDumbledore): @
[19:54] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Tosar is located in the Vosk Delta region as well, like Caer Cadarn, it is not found in the books, but is run by the cultures and customs of the area.”
[19:54] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Yes, bee?” smiles
[19:55] belle (Lexia Benelli): aww she crashed
[19:55] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Ack we lost her.”
[19:56] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): looks around for a blue flame …
[19:56] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Hey thais! Welcome we are finished.” giggles
[19:56] belle (Lexia Benelli): smiles back and waves to thais
[19:56] Thaïs (LauraTarnsman): Ohhh my.. Who did we lose?
[19:56] Thaïs (LauraTarnsman) giggles softly… “So sorry I’m late, Mistress”
[19:56] – Ϯɪɢɢƴ – (Kel Blindside): prepares to dive under a desk just in case..
[19:56] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Ack thais,” blushes fiercely
[19:56] belle (Lexia Benelli): gigggles
[19:56] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “i haven’t been called “mistress” since becoming owned by my Master.” face heats
[19:57] Thaïs (LauraTarnsman) laughs.. “I was always taught to respect the instructors, Mistress”
[19:57] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): giggles, “Yes, i know the protocols, just .. been awhile.” giggles
[19:57] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Welcome bac, bee.” smiles
[19:57] belle (Lexia Benelli): giggles a bit more listening
[19:57] bee (beaDumbledore): (( sorry laptop locked up again ))
[19:57] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): back*
[19:57] bee (beaDumbledore): Thank you !
[19:57] bee (beaDumbledore): @
[19:57] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “No worries… right, you had a question or comment, please go ahead.”
[19:58] Thaïs (LauraTarnsman) laughs and laughs, “I provided comic relief while you were gone, Bee.”
[19:58] bee (beaDumbledore): What about home at the Caer? What kind of waterway is it at home? Where does it flow?
[19:59] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles, “The Caer would be an island amid the myriad of waterways and channels that are constantly shifting in the Vosk Delta, from the Vosk River that is running into thassa.”
[19:59] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “So, like, you can imagine yourself on a small island in Louisiana or Mississippi or Florida even.”
[20:00] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Near the gulf of Mexico.”
[20:00] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “The gulf of Mexico is like Thassa.”
[20:00] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Only Thassa would technically be more like the Atlantic not a gulf.”
[20:01] bee (beaDumbledore): is it a river tributary running though the Caer?
[20:01] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Yes!” smiles
[20:01] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Several of them.”
[20:01] bee (beaDumbledore): and it’s lined with rence 🙂
[20:01] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Well on the actual Caer sim, there is only one tributary running through it.” giggles, “yes, bee.”
[20:02] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Anyone else?”
[20:02] Thaïs (LauraTarnsman): hmmm.. must be downriver near Kar. Lotsa rence there!
[20:02] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): “Exactly thais. Sorry you missed class but tiggy will have the NC and it will be posted on the blog as well.”
[20:02] rhiannon (rhiannon0327): smiles